Planning Permission Applications
Looking to build an extension or conservatory? Our planning permission application guide has everything you need to know.
Applying for Planning Permission
Who can apply?
Who can help
What will you need?
Planning permission applications
What you need to submit
Planning permission cost
How long does it take?
How do I apply for Planning Permission?
One way to apply for Planning Permission is online, a popular website to do so is the ‘Planning Portal’.
By completing a Planning Permission application form online, you will be prompted to only answer the questions which are relevant to your specific application.
Once you’ve completed your online planning application, the form is sent straight to the local planning authority so it can be processed.
Every local authority in England accepts online planning permission applications.
Alternatively, you can download the standard planning permission application form, in paper format.
Who can apply for Planning Permission?
If you would prefer, you could choose to hire an agent to apply for planning permission for you.
Many people hire their Architect, Solicitor or Builder to complete the planning permission application for them.
To apply for Planning Permission, you don’t need to necessarily have your own land.
This is helpful because you can choose to apply for planning permission before deciding whether you want to buy a certain area of land.
If you choose to apply for Planning Permission before purchasing the desired piece of land, there are certain people that must be informed before doing so.
- Any owners/ Part owners of the land.
- Any Leaseholders, if they have at least 7 years lease remaining.
- Any agricultural tenants.
Who can help with a Planning Permission application?
Planning permission applicants can acquire help in a variety of ways.
For example, quite often local people and/or organisations may be able to offer you some amateur assistance throughout the application process.
However, it may be worth seeking professional support too.
In terms of profession planners, the register of planning consultants, collated by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), is a helpful resource to find the correct professional assistance. However, these usually incur a fee.
There are also so low-cost or free services available to members of the public, through the Planning Aid network, this is also run by the RTPI.
What will I need before starting a planning permission application?
Meeting with a planning officer for an informal chat is a good idea in order to ensure you have everything you need before applying.
Some local authorities may charge for this, so be sure to check first.
It is likely that it will be asked if you have done this, as one of the questions on your online planning permission application form.
This can often assist local authorities when processing your planning application.
It is encouraged to undertake pre-application advice as it can:
- Provide a list of local and national planning requirements
- Make sure your planning application is to a standard which reduces the likelihood of submitting invalid applications.
- Provides you with an understanding of planning policies and requirements, which may affect your planning permission.
Planning Application: Go Prepared
If you do choose to meet with a planning permission officer, make sure you’re fully prepared to describe your proposals and show your plans.
You can:
- Ask for your planning application to be assessed to see what the chances are of you getting granted planning permission.
- Raise possible issues such as, roads or footpaths.
- Ask questions about potential noise and traffic and find out whether it is likely that your local authority may inflict certain conditions instead of refusing planning permission.
How much you choose to prepare depends on what you are proposing to do.
If your planning application is relatively simple, it should be enough to enquire about the main necessities outlined in the grant of permission.
This way, you can choose what is relevant to your personal planning application.
What planning permission application should I choose?
Most online planning permission applications cover a variety of consents.
It is also possible to apply for multiple consents when applying for planning permission, examples of these include listed building consent and full planning consent.
Many online planning application sites will offer additional and less common consent types, which are usually available as PDF downloads.
It is important to make sure you apply for the correct consent, otherwise your planning application will not be valid.
Online application websites quite often provide guidance, but it is also advised that you check what consent type is required by your local planning authority.
This should also be a useful resource when finding about local constraints in the area and any other permission that may be required when submitting your planning permission application.
What do I need to submit when applying for planning permission?
Your application should consist of:
- Plans of the site
- Whatever supporting documentation is required
- The completed application form (Online/Paper)
- The correct fee
If you’re applying online, your application will automatically be sent to the relevant local planning authority.
It is important to ensure you have completed the mandatory supporting documents before submitting your planning permission application, as the local planning authority will be unable to process your application without them.
It may not always be possible to send certain file types when completing an online planning permission application.
If this is the case, you may be able to provide information in hard copies. Any additional information will be validated by the Local Planning Authority.
There are mandatory documents on a national and local level.
If you chose to complete an online planning permission application, you will be told what mandatory documents you need to provide.
If you choose to apply for planning permission via post, you must provide at least three copies of the application form plus any supporting information, including your plans, your relevant planning authority may require more.
What are the national mandatory documents?
At a minimum you must provide these documents for your planning permission application to be valid:
- The standard application forms.
Most planning permission applications require two plans to be submitted as supporting documents:
- Location plan- This shows the site area and its surroundings and can be purchased online from an accredited supplier.
- Site Plan/Block Plan- This shows the proposed development in detail and can also be purchased online from an accredited supplier.
- An ownership certificate A, B, C or D – This must be completed noting who owns the property.
- Agricultural holdings certificate – This is required regardless of whether the site includes an agricultural holding. As stated earlier, Agricultural tenants must be informed before applying for planning permission.
- Design and access statement (if required)- This should include design concepts and principles that have been applied to the proposed development and how any possible issues with accessing the development have been rectified. Click here to find out more about design and access statements.
- Correct application fee. Calculate the correct fee for your application here.
What are the local document requirements?
As well as the national list of planning permission documents, your local planning authority may also have a list which details any further documentation that is required as part of your application.
This may depend on the type of application you are submitting.
If you choose to make your planning permission application online, this list will be available for you on a supporting document screen.
What will it cost me to apply for Planning Permission?
When you submit a planning permission application, there is likely to be a planning application fee.
Although, for other types of consent such as listed buildings, no application fee is required.
You can calculate the planning application fee yourself using an online fee calculator.
If you’re not sure about what the required application fee is, it may be wise to contact your local planning authority before submitting your application.
You don’t want to make a mistake and delay the processing of your planning permission application!
Since September 2018. The fees for Planning Permission Applications have been processed online and passed to the local authority as part of the application.
You may incur a service charges for using some online applications.
Planning permission applications that do not require a planning fee or applications with a fee below £60 will not incur the service charge. The service charge is £20.83 (+VAT).
If the local planning authority fails to reach a decision on your planning permission application or if you submit a valid application and the choose to withdraw it before a decision has been made, the application fee is unable to be refunded.
However, If the local authority fails to decide on your application, you can appeal.
You can submit the same application a second time within 12 months, free of charge, if your previous application has been granted, refused or withdrawn.
How can I pay for my planning permission application?
These methods can be used to pay for your application:
- Secure online payment (Up to £1000)
- Telephone payment (Up to £1000)
- Bank Transfer
- Cheque
What happens after I have submitted my planning permission application?
Once your planning permission application has been submitted, you will receive email confirmation or postal confirmation if you have applied via post.
You will likely be sent a reference number which should be used during all correspondence with your local authority, regarding your application.
You will also receive validation from the authority, within it’s normal time scales and processes.
How long does a planning permission application take?
Although this varies depending on your local authority, a simple planning application should take no longer than 8 weeks.
However, if you have submitted a more complex or larger application, this could take up to 13 weeks, this rises to 16 weeks if your application requires an Environmental Impact Assessment.
For more information please visit The Planning Portal website.